e burned on the hearth, and the ancient
fisherman's wife soon busied herself with her highly-polished pots and
pans in preparing a meal, the very odour of which made the Baron's mouth
water. Freshly-caught fish and a stew with potatoes and vegetables were
quickly ready, and the Baron did ample justice to each dish placed on
the table. The ancient fisherman informed them that the population of
the island was about nine hundred; the men are all fishers, and pass the
greater portion of their days on the water. On Sunday night, or rather
as soon as Monday is commenced, the whole population go down to the
port; the men embark in their boats, put to sea, and pass the week in
fishing. The women return to their daily avocations till another
Saturday afternoon comes round, when the men return home for their day
of rest.

"Month after month, and year after year, we live the same style of life;
the world wags on around us, but we hear little or nothing of its
doings. We are contented and happy in our way, and wouldn't change our
island of Marken for any part of the Netherlands, or the whole of Europe
to boot," said the ancient fisherman.

"I am much inclined to stop among you," observed the Count. "Only I
should not like to have to go out fishing every day, especially in cold
and wintry weather; but to sit here, for instance, with one's feet
before the fire, is very pleasant."

The ancient fisherman laughed. "You must remember, Mynheer, that in
order to obtain these comforts, my father and I have toiled on year
after year, each adding a little; this cottage and what it contains,
represents the labour, I may say, of centuries. Few things worth having
are to be obtained without working. I can enjoy my ease and these
comforts with a clear conscience, for I have laboured on for fifty years
or more, adding to the store my father left me, and he laboured for more
than fifty years, and my grandfather before him."

"What examples you and your family are of patience and perseverance,"
observed the Count.

"No, Mynheer, nothing wonderful," answered the ancient fisherman, in a
modest tone. "All the inhabitants of our part of the town have done
much the same, and we bring up our children in the hope that they will
follow our example. This, Mynheer, is the secret of our contentment and
prosperity."

"Then, when I marry and have children, I must bring them up to follow my
example, and the same result will, I hope, follow," sai